Psalm 15:3

3 He ¹does not slander with his tongue, Nor ²does evil to his neighbor, Nor ³takes up a reproach against his friend;

Psalm 15:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 15:3

[He that] backbiteth not with his tongue
Is not a slanderer, a defamer, a tale bearer; a backbiter is one who privately, secretly, behind a man's back speaks evil of him, devours and destroys his credit and reputation: the word here used comes from (lgr) , which signifies the "foot", and denotes such a person who goes about from house to house, speaking things he should not, ( 1 Timothy 5:13 ) ; and a word from this root signifies spies; and the phrase here may point at such persons who creep into houses, pry into the secrets of families, and divulge them, and oftentimes represent them in a false light. Such are ranked amongst the worst of men, and are very unfit to be in the society of the saints, or in a church of Christ; see ( Romans 1:30 ) ( 2 Corinthians 12:20 ) ;

nor doeth evil to his neighbour:
to any man whatever, good or bad, friend or foe, whether in a natural, civil, or spiritual relation, either by words or deeds, to his person, property, or good name;

nor taketh up, a reproach against his neighbour;
does not raise any scandalous report on him himself, nor will he bear to hear one from another, much less will he spread one; nor will he suffer one to lie upon his neighbour, but will do all he can to vindicate him, and clear his character.

Psalm 15:3 In-Context

1 O LORD , who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill?

2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.

3 He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

4 In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD ; He swears to his own hurt and does not change;

5 He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 50:20
• 2. Psalms 28:3
• 3. Exodus 23:1

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "according to"